OKLAHOMA CITY — Perhaps for you, it was an epiphany after a particularly memorable Kyrie Irving moment.
Perhaps it came about gradually. It became more and more obvious as the montage of images of a joyful Irving grew, until it became a continuous, irrefutable brilliance. Can we dare to call it reality?
Kai really likes it here. He and Luka Doncic clearly enjoy playing with each other. Irving as Maverick is no longer a wishful experiment, but rather a budding success.
The evidence goes beyond the fact that Dallas begins the second round of the playoffs in Oklahoma City on Tuesday night. And Irving's brilliance that lasted for three months was instrumental in getting the Mavericks this far. It's also Irving's burgeoning aura of peace and what that means for the series.
“When you look at Kai, you don't see that recognition of what was written in the past,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “We're just in the present. And what he's doing is rewriting his journey.”
Irving's breakups with Cleveland (2017), Boston (2019) and Brooklyn (2023) clouded the story of his Naismith Hall of Fame career. As a result, the acquisition of Dallas from the Nets on February 6, 2023 created an atmosphere of skepticism among the media more than the fans.
That was 456 days ago and it's still going on. Irving signed a two-year contract with a player option for his third year last summer. The only “other shoe” dropped is Irving’s ANTA KAI 1.
By everyone's eyes, he organically rose to a leadership position, fitting comfortably if not seamlessly alongside Doncic and within the team's parameters.
He is the yang to Doncic's yin. Ice to Doncic's fire. A calm image that balances the 32-year-old's voice of reason with the fiery competitiveness of the 25-year-old Doncic.
As a result, Doncic and Irving, who went 5-11 in sporadic appearances together last season, have moved on from the past 35 games they have played together, including a 4-2 win over the Clippers in the first round of the playoffs. He led Dallas to 27 wins in games.
“What you see now is a version of me that I’m proud of,” Irving said. “I look at myself in the mirror every day. I give myself affirmations. I meditate. I pray. I use daily practices to stay grounded and balanced. I try to do it more consistently.”
It's as close as Irving gets to specifying past early failures, lack of self-awareness, and what he calls “understanding who I am.”
After scoring 28 of his 30 points in the second half in Game 6 against the Clippers last Friday to seal a decisive victory, Irving smiled and said, “I sent a message to my therapist.'' I don't have confidence in myself. Please call out to your family who will be by your side at times.”
The Mavericks won't ask for details because, frankly, all they know and care about is Irving here and now. Indeed, he averaged 26.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists against the Clippers, and was a steady presence after Los Angeles won Game 4 in Dallas to tie the series at 2-2. Ta.
“It's an honor just to have a player like that on our team,” Doncic said. “It's always fun just working with him and just playing with him.
“He always has positive energy. is.”
Signs of Irving's peace were quietly evident within days of joining the Mavericks last season. That includes when he blurted out to assistant coach God Shamgod, a longtime family friend of Irving: ”
Fans can't help but notice that Irving and Doncic (whom he calls “Mi Hermano”) draped an arm around each other's shoulders in public. And so it was on St. Patrick's Day afternoon, when the entire team captivated Irving after the left-handed 21-footer beat Denver.
And before Dallas won Game 5 in Los Angeles, Irving's young son bounced a basketball to his dad during warmups, and Irving made a 3-pointer and turned around to blow him a kiss.
The most important question is why Irving found solace in Dallas. — While it may not be as important to fans as on-court performance, it's constructive to understand the factors as players and franchises work to make this marriage last.
Jason Kidd and Nico Harrison
During his first press conference as a Maverick in Los Angeles on February 7 of last year, Irving said of Kidd and general manager Nico Harrison:
“I know they're trying to push me beyond where I think I am right now. That's the guidance and guidance that I feel I need at this point in my life.”
Fifteen months later, Irving has grown professionally and personally, according to Kidd on Monday, who received a multi-year contract extension.
Irving's immediate coaching request and subsequent results likely would not have been possible without Irving's longstanding relationships with Harrison and Kidd.
Irving has known Harrison since 2009, when Irving was a high school senior in New Jersey, and Harrison oversaw Nike's Elite Youth Basketball League and its efforts. Irving has known Kidd even longer, attending his first NBA game when he was in the fourth grade and becoming a fan of the Nets, especially point guard Kidd.
“Sometimes when you get comfortable with people, you tend to get the best results,” Kidd said. “I'm not saying we're the only reason. [Irving] This has a lot to do with it. I think it's maturity. He is peaceful. He enjoys the city of Dallas. He's having fun with his teammates. ”
Harrison said and smiled. dallas morning news Three weeks ago, I asked Irving why he was thriving in Dallas.
“One, he's incredibly talented, so that helps. I think he feels respected and surrounded by people who care about him and want him to succeed. I think the city has become great by accepting him.
“And you take away health. That obviously helps.”
Since missing 12 games in December with a right heel contusion and seven games in late January/early February with a sprained right thumb, Irving has played 37 straight games, not including two meaningless games missed late in the season. He is participating in the event.
It's clear that Irving and Kidd are on the same wavelength both on the court and when speaking to reporters separately after the game. According to Irving, that's because they have a lot in common. Same birthday (March 23rd), NBA Rookie of the Year, Same birthday (March 23rd), NBA Rookie of the Year. point guard. Top 2 draft pick. Olympic gold medalist. NBA Champion.
“I think he appreciates guys who are interested in maximizing their potential,” Irving said of Kidd. “That's what we connected on. It's not just on the court, but as a person, 'How can I bring out the best in myself?'
“I think now he's able to live through me a little bit. We play different games, but when I watch him, I think he has a high-level understanding of chess. Having a coach like that gives you peace of mind and confidence that you're doing the right thing. It goes a long way.”
dallas
Dallas-Fort Worth is the fifth-largest media market in the nation, but athletes are not as closely watched by media and fans compared to Irving's last two destinations, Brooklyn and Boston.
One reason for that is because North Texas is, first and foremost, a soccer country.
As for reporters, no one asked Irving to rehash or clarify his public missteps in Brooklyn or Boston. Because, frankly, those are topics he's dealt with, and there's no indication that his personal life or beliefs are having a negative impact on his play.
In fact, the opposite appears to be true. Irving's relationship with North Texas reporters has certainly been helped by his availability almost nightly after games and his patient, thoughtful, and wide-ranging answers.
Regarding Mavericks fans, Irving cited Game 4 of the Clippers series, when Dallas trailed by 31 points and American Airlines Center continued to cheer as loudly as ever.
“Even when we're not playing well, they try to give us as much energy as they can,” Irving said. “Just knowing other fanbases that I’ve been a part of can be really toxic.
“I think there's a good balance here and they like to protect their players. A lot of great players have come here as well, so it's not like they haven't known greatness before.”
teammates and coaches
Irving clearly relishes his role as a relatively senior politician and role model.
He said he feels a responsibility not only to young Mavericks such as rookie Derek Lively II, Jaden Hardy, Josh Green and, to an extent, Doncic, but also to young players across the league. Ta.
Irving said he noticed that the younger Mavericks were listening to the same music and playing the same video games.
“I had to understand that this is a different time. I'm a different leader in a different time now. To get the most out of them, I have to approach them a little differently. No.”
Irving's personal preparation remained determined and painstaking. With Shamgod watching, his quiet pregame routines vary in length but remain the same in purpose and focus.
The only noticeable difference between last season's routine and this season's routine is that Irving no longer wears his red Beats headphones. Maybe it's because he's become established as a Maverick or a Dallasite and doesn't care as much about the distractions around him.
Shamgod said he sees his role as a gateway from the organization and coaching staff to Irving and vice versa.
“He was in another organization and there were times when he was misunderstood, so my job is to make sure he has access to the coaches and the organization and that there is understanding on both sides. .
“Sports means energy and connection. If you feel connected to your family and part of the family, you will react that way. If you don't feel that way, you will react that way. I guess.”
irving
After the Mavericks' Game 6 win over the Clippers, Kidd was asked why the Mavericks and Dallas' perception of Irving was so different from his reputation.
Kid seemed surprised by the question at first. After all, over the past 15 months, Irving hasn't given reporters any reason to ask reporters about the old Irving, much less the current Irving.
“We all have our own opinions about different things,” Kidd said. “He's worldly, which is great. Most of us aren't. We're just obsessed with our sports, but he can talk about other things.
“Sometimes that scares people. But what he's done for us, I think he's a leader. He's teaching these young men how to be professionals. , that was what we needed.”
Irving said that after becoming Maverick, going through therapy, and going on a journey to learn more about his ancestors and himself, he has decided that it is pointless and unhealthy to hold on to resentment over how he has been portrayed in the past.
“I don't feel misunderstood,” he said. “I feel like now I can show my true self, accept it and live with the consequences.”
It's on display in moments that show the 32-year-old has found peace as a Maverick for a variety of reasons, both on and off the court.
result? They speak for themselves.
Read more of Dallas Morning News' Mavericks coverage here.
